?Thirsty man now facing B felony for break-in and court order violation

Written by Marty Randall

Tuesday, 30 December 2008 00:00

? A man who allegedly broke into a woman’s Scottsburg home has been incarcerated in lieu of $75,000 cash bond after being charged in that break-in in Scott Circuit Court.
On December 19, Thomas J. Snow, 29, Scottsburg, purportedly broke into the home of a woman who had a protective order issued against him through the local court system. He then apparently made himself at home, drinking a cold beer while supposedly waiting for the woman to return. When she did, she was told by a neighbor that he’d seen Snow in her back yard. The woman called Scottsburg police, and Patrolmen Travis Rutherford and Troy Ford were dispatched to the home.
Officer Ford found where glass had been broken out of a back door to gain entry. A sack with five beers in it was found in the livingroom.
Snow was then spotted running between houses. Deputy Joe Johnson of the Sheriff’s Department pursued Snow, ordering him to stop, but the suspect climbed over a six-foot fence and disappeared. Deputy Johnson found him later hiding in some bushes.
Snow was originally arrested on a charge of public intoxication. During a search, a kitchen knife was found on him, which was owned by the woman.
Snow appeared before Judge Roger Duvall for his initial court hearing on December 23. A not guilty plea was entered for him on charges of Class B felony burglary; two counts of invasion of privacy, a Class A misdemeanor; fleeing law enforcement, also a Class A misdemeanor; and public intoxication, a Class B misdemeanor.
Snow’s jury trial is scheduled for May 26. He was provided with the services of a public defender.
According to a motion for higher-than-standard bond filed by Scott County Prosecutor Jason Mount, Snow had allegedly attempted to strangle the woman and commit domestic battery against her in November. He was released on bond to await charges on those charges less than 20 days before this current incident occurred.